[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 75 (Tuesday, May 20, 2003)]
[House]
[Pages H4270-H4272]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
COMMENDING THE UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA GOLDEN GOPHERS FOR WINNING THE
2003 NATIONAL COLLEGIATE ATHLETIC ASSOCIATION DIVISION I MEN'S ICE
HOCKEY CHAMPIONSHIP
Mr. KLINE. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the
resolution (H. Res. 217) commending the University of Minnesota Golden
Gophers for Winning the 2003 National Collegiate Athletic Association
Division I Men's Ice Hockey Championship.
The Clerk read as follows:
H. Res. 217
Whereas on Saturday, April 12, 2003, the defending NCAA
Division I Men's Ice Hockey champions, the University of
Minnesota Golden Gophers, won the National Championship for
the second straight year;
Whereas the University of Minnesota defeated the University
of New Hampshire in the championship game by the score of 5-
1, having defeated the University of Michigan 3-2 in overtime
in the semifinals;
Whereas the Golden Gophers reached the 56th Annual Frozen
Four by defeating Mercyhurst College 9-2 and Ferris State
University 7-4;
Whereas the University of Minnesota received an automatic
bid to the 2003 NCAA Division I Men's Ice Hockey National
Championship Tournament by defeating Colorado College 4-2 in
the Western Collegiate Hockey Association Tournament
championship game;
Whereas the Golden Gophers became the first repeat NCAA
Men's Ice Hockey champions in 31 years;
[[Page H4271]]
Whereas the University of Minnesota won their fifth NCAA
Men's Ice Hockey title;
Whereas the team displayed academic excellence by
maintaining an average grade point average above the
university-wide average; and
Whereas all the team's players showed dedication throughout
the season toward the goal of winning the National
Championship: Now, therefore, be it
Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
(1) commends the University of Minnesota Golden Gophers for
winning the 2003 NCAA Division I Men's Ice Hockey
Championship;
(2) recognizes the achievements of all the team's players,
coaches, and support staff, and invites them to the United
States Capitol Building to be honored;
(3) requests that the President recognize the team's
accomplishment, and invite them to the White House for a
ceremony in their honor; and
(4) directs the Clerk of the House of Representatives to
make available enrolled copies of this resolution to the
University of Minnesota for appropriate display, and to
transmit an enrolled copy of this resolution to each coach
and member of the 2003 NCAA Division I Men's Ice Hockey
Championship team.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from
Minnesota (Mr. Kline) and the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Hinojosa) each
will control 20 minutes.
The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Minnesota (Mr. Kline).
General Leave
Mr. KLINE. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may
have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their remarks
on H. Res. 217.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the
gentleman from Minnesota?
There was no objection.
Mr. KLINE. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of House Resolution 217. I thank my
colleague, the gentleman from Minnesota (Mr. Sabo), for bringing this
resolution forward.
Mr. Speaker, this resolution recognizes the achievement of the
University of Minnesota men's hockey team, the Golden Gophers, for
their NCAA Division I championship. The Gophers are the first team in
31 years to win back-to-back championships. With this fifth NCAA title,
they are tied for third place in all-time championship victories.
This national championship team is to be commended not only for its
athletic success but also and perhaps more importantly for their
academic record. In addition to their achievements on the ice, the
Minnesota men's hockey team was able to maintain a higher grade point
average than the overall student body. This is a testament to the
dedication of the team, the leadership of Coach Don Lucia, and the
support of family and friends. It is clear this team has a winning
spirit and a commitment to excellence.
I extend my congratulations to each of the hardworking players of the
Minnesota Golden Gophers men's hockey team, to Coach Lucia and to the
University of Minnesota.
I am happy to join any colleagues in honoring the accomplishments of
this team and wish them continued success. I ask my colleagues to
support this resolution.
Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. HINOJOSA. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 217, congratulating the
University of Minnesota for winning the NCAA Division I ice hockey
championship. Last month the Golden Gophers captured the national
championship for the second straight year. College fans, students,
athletes, and the general public were treated to an exciting hockey
season and championship tournament. I want to extend my hearty
congratulations to Minnesota's head coach and their student athletes
for a job well done.
Also, Mr. Speaker, I wanted to extend my congratulations to the
University of New Hampshire and their student athletes for a great
season.
Winning a championship has brought national acclaim to the University
of Minnesota. I hope that the Minnesota fans and the University
community treasures this moment for many years to come.
Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. KLINE. Mr. Speaker, I have no further speakers, and I reserve the
balance of my time.
Mr. HINOJOSA. Mr. Speaker, how much time do I have remaining?
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The gentleman from Texas (Mr. Hinojosa) has
19 minutes remaining.
Mr. HINOJOSA. Mr. Speaker, I yield 5 minutes to the respectable
gentleman from Minnesota (Mr. Sabo).
Mr. SABO. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from Texas (Mr.
Hinojosa) for yielding me time, and commend my colleague, the gentleman
from Minnesota (Mr. Kline) who is handling the bill and the resolution
on the majority side.
Mr. Speaker, Minnesota is a hockey State. I think we are the premiere
hockey State in the country, and it has been a great year for hockey in
Minnesota. Most recently, we have been excited about the, I suppose
what you call, surprising success of the Wild in getting into the
division championship in the NHL. But while they are new to our State,
Golden Gophers have been playing hockey for 81 years. And that rich
tradition we salute today as we congratulate them on winning a second
consecutive NCAA championship.
But that is part of a rich tradition. This is their fifth national
championship. In their 81 years, they have been in the NCAA Frozen Four
Finals 18 times, 27 times to the NCAA tournaments. They have appeared
in the national tournament for 13 consecutive years, an NCAA record; 12
conference playoff championships; 10 conference championships. So they
come with a rich, rich tradition of outstanding hockey. Five national
championships.
It is a unique team, a unique school with a rich tradition of good
hockey, good athletes, good scholars. So we are proud of them. We are
proud. We also know that unless there is some unusual circumstances,
like pro hockey, most of the team is going to be back next year.
Clearly, if you were to pick a favorite today for the NCAA hockey
championship a year from now, the Gophers would lead the way.
So to Coach Don Lucia, to all his staff, all his players, the
University administration, we say a hearty congratulations on your
great success these last 2 years. We congratulate you for a rich
tradition of hockey in the hockey State of the United States. We are
proud of you and we wish you well in the future.
Mr. KLINE. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself 1 minute.
Mr. Speaker, I want to thank my colleague from Minnesota (Mr. Sabo)
for his remarks. He is right. Minnesota is the hockey capital of the
world. He is right that we have been excited by not only NCAA hockey
but by professional hockey. We are very proud of our Wild. But it is
the Golden Gophers who we are here to commend today.
I am pleased as he is that we will see more of them again next year,
and I am doubly excited by looking at my neighbors' kids, all of whom
are in elementary school and look at their prowess that we will be a
leader for a long time to come.
Again, my hearty congratulations to the team, to the Golden Gophers,
to their coach.
Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. HINOJOSA. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
I really enjoyed the remarks by my good friend, the gentleman from
Minnesota (Mr. Kline), and especially my friend, the gentleman from
Minnesota (Mr. Sabo). And I want to just share with both of you that we
believe in south Texas that it is such a great sport that the community
of south Texas has a big hockey coliseum under construction soon to be
completed, probably in the fall, September or October. And I wish to
invite both of the gentlemen from Minnesota (Mr. Sabo and Mr. Kline) to
come to the opening. We are going to have on the Texas-Mexico border
visitors from Mexico who also want to be as supportive of hockey as we
in America are supportive of soccer.
{time} 1100
So I want both gentlemen to know that they will be getting an
invitation to that grand opening, and I hope that they will come and
share in the excitement of bringing hockey to my great State of south
Texas.
Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
[[Page H4272]]
Mr. KLINE. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume
just to say thank you to my colleague from Texas and to commend him and
the Great State of Texas for recognizing the great sport of hockey, and
I appreciate the invitation. I hope that I have the opportunity to
accept that invitation and join my colleague, the gentleman from
Minnesota (Mr. Sabo), for that visit. I hope that this occurs in
February. I would be grateful for that consideration at least.
Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. Terry). The question is on the motion
offered by the gentleman from Minnesota (Mr. Kline) that the House
suspend the rules and agree to the resolution, H. Res. 217.
The question was taken; and (two-thirds having voted in favor
thereof) the rules were suspended and the resolution was agreed to.
A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.
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